Additional Emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits Ending March 2023

Media Contact: Carol Friedrich, LCSW, Social Services Director, Ouray & San Miguel Counties, 970.708.4402, carol.friedrich@state.co.us

(January 24, 2023) – San Miguel County, CO – All Coloradans who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will see a reduction in their monthly benefit amount after February 2023. The temporary additional benefit amounts (emergency allotments) are ending due to the result of recent congressional action. This is a change enacted by Congress and is not appealable. SNAP serves more than 290,000 households and 554,000 individuals in Colorado each month by providing money to purchase food and safeguard the well-being of SNAP participants and their families.

Emergency allotment gives SNAP participants additional money for food during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing households up to their maximum amount of money for food they can receive for their household size and circumstances. This reduction in benefits may have a significant impact on many households. 

To help reduce the impact on households, families can: 

If you are able to, you can roll over your EBT benefits to the next month. This may help “cushion” the impact of the reduction in benefits. 

• You can stock up on non-perishable items now, while you have the additional benefits. Click on this link for tips on stocking your pantry: English ;Spanish
• Stretch your ingredients and plan to use them in more than one meal. This helps to save money and reduce food waste. Click for more tips: English ; Spanish
• Consider freezing your produce to make fruit and vegetables last longer English ; Spanish
• Look at the Unit Prices to compare similar products at the grocery store English; Spanish

For more information, please visit https://cdhs.colorado.gov/snap

If your household does not participate in SNAP and you are interested in helping, please consider donating funds or food items for your local food pantry or food bank. A list of local pantries can be found here.

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ABOUT SUPPLEMENT NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps low-income households in Colorado purchase food. It provides a monthly benefit that helps families and individuals buy the food they need for good health.

The benefit is provided based on income, resources and the number of individuals in the household. Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards are used to receive the benefit and can be used similar to debit cards at participating food stores. The benefit can be doubled in value by shopping at participating markets and food stores that support the Double Up Food Bucks program.

SNAP is part of a federal nutrition program to help low-income households purchase food. County human services departments are responsible for determining eligibility and authorizing SNAP. 

SNAP is good for the local economy. Households participating in SNAP spend more on food. By providing more resources for food, SNAP helps free up cash for households with low-income to buy other essential items, like diapers and medication. As a result, retail sales increase, benefiting stores that sell both food and non-food items.

ABOUT COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (CDHS)
CDHS supports people and families by connecting them with assistance, resources and support at every stage of their lives. We serve Coloradans through bold and innovative health and human services. And together, we empower Coloradans to thrive.